Bev's Story

Years after becoming a kidney donor, Bev Koch still feels like she was the lucky one to be a match and save a life.

Name: Bev Koch
City/Town: Cincinnati/Morrow, Ohio 
Age at Donation:  48
Occupation: Healthcare Sales
Date of Donation: November 17, 2009
Hospital and Location: The Christ Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio

Did you know your recipient?
Yes, he was a friend, and our daughters were in high school together in a travel club for cheerleading. We met lots of other parents and made long-term friends being active in our girls’ education and their high school. That's how I met my recipient.

What made you decide to donate?
My husband and I were friends with Terry M. for many years when we were younger. Terry had four kidney transplants and was on and off dialysis for years. She passed away when she was just 34 years old.

 We knew how hard dialysis could be. When my recipient became suddenly ill and on dialysis for almost a year, his wife sent out a mass email in desperation. She asked for anyone to donate since no one in their family was a match or could donate to help save him.

The minute I read that email, it was a strong knowing I cannot explain. I just knew this was going to happen.

 After discussing it with my husband, he felt like me. While his health did not allow him to donate, he had the same feelings and said, “Why do I just know you are going to be a perfect match?” It turned out I was!

Was it a tough decision?
Oh yes, difficult in the sense, was I doing the right thing? Should I do this or put my health at risk when my family might need me? Lots of thoughts ran through my mind, but my faith and the “knowing” I felt were stronger—this was the right thing to do. First step: take the test and see if I was a match. That was the easy part, and my husband was very supportive too.

What were your biggest concerns about donating?
Same as above—my biggest concern was family first. What if there were medical issues with such a big surgery or complications when I was the primary support for my family?  

How did your family and friends react when you told them you were going to donate?
Most were supportive, and many more were touched. But my mom, sisters and daughters were concerned that I was making a sacrifice for someone that was not a close/best friend or relative. They were very hesitant to support initially, but only because they loved me.

My daughters, my husband and my family were ultimately my greatest support to move forward. Our faith was strong, and we knew I was following my heart and God’s ask at that time.

How did your surgery go?
It went okay, and there were no issues. The pain the first couple of days in the hospital was pretty intense. I developed a high fever, which kept me there a day or two longer but no surprises other than that.

What was your recovery like while you were in the hospital?
The first couple of days were the hardest. For me, it was like a C-section recovery, but the pain more intense. I'm not sure if it was because I was 48 or just a lot more re-wiring and a much longer surgery too.

What was your recovery like at home?
The first week at home was emotional for me. I remember crying off and on for no reason. I think it was just a very physical and emotional ordeal. After a couple of weeks, I bounced back.

What was the most difficult part of recovery?
The first couple of weeks. It took me several weeks to recover fully.

When did you return to work?
I actually returned to work after two weeks. I work from my home, and while I travel for meetings frequently, my travel is lighter at the end of the year. I purposely scheduled my surgery close to Thanksgiving so I could work from home for a few weeks with the exception of some meetings I could drive to.

My husband attended a couple meetings when I had to drive overnight, and he managed my suitcase, etc. for me. I was very lucky that way.

I complained when my dress pants made my stomach uncomfortable from the surgery as I was still tender for a few weeks. My husband suggested I try dressy black stretch pants or maternity dress slacks, and it worked! I only had to wear them a couple times on a long drive, but it worked, LOL.

How long was the process from making the first contact about donating until your surgery?
It was several months because I had scheduled lots of preventative health tests to ensure my family I was in great health. The tests included my annual mammogram, a cardiac stress test, and my first colonoscopy, etc. Also, it was easier on me to schedule at the end of the year with my work travel schedule.

Is there anything about being a kidney donor that's surprised you?
I donated my kidney in 2009, but in 2012, my recipient had a massive heart attack and almost died. EMTs broke several of his ribs doing CPR to revive him, and he was in a coma briefly too.

Because of the amazing and almost perfectly matched kidney, my recipient still has a strong kidney 10 years later! He not only survived the massive heart attack but so did the kidney I gave him too.

I kept my donation very private for many years. But when I did share my story eventually, the inspirational reactions I heard and felt surprised me. God is good.

Would you do it again?
YEP!! For me, it was a gift from God to be that one person, that one match to save a life… How lucky am I? That is how I feel even 10 years later. It was simply the right thing to do.